Generators are watts new at PMLD

PMLD secretary Christine Trudeau shows off one of the available generators. Phyllis Booth photo Anyone interested in purchasing a generator for use in the case of a prolonged power outage can order one through the Princeton Municipal Light Department.

“I kept getting phone calls about emergency generators and asking whether I could get generators at a discount rate,” PMLD Manager Jonathan Fitch said. “I decided that if I did get the equipment I wanted to make sure it would be one of the best and of a higher quality.”

Fitch said he did something similar two years ago, offering customers efficient water heaters with a lifetime warranty.

“We needed to purchase a new generator for the light department building so I got a 15,000watt generator for us and bought an 8,000-watt generator for customers to see and order if they want one,” he said. “We’d be a distributor for the manufacturer, and sell them at our cost.”

The generator has a Honda engine and once connected during an emergency would run the furnace, refrigerator, and lights, keep the water running and allow use of a few appliances, Fitch said.

“It would be just enough to make the house comfortable during an extended outage due to a large storm if the power was going to be out for more than a day or two,” he said. “We’ve reduced outages over the past few years, so this would be for a catastrophic event, such as something happening outside of Princeton that could affect our power supply.”

The generator is connected to a transfer switch and would have to be wired by a qualified electrician. It has to be run outside but

when not running is usually kept inside, Fitch said. A 50-foot cord connects the generator to the outlet box. Once it’s wired properly it takes about 15 minutes to bring the generator outside, connect the wire and do the transfer from the regular power supply.

The generator runs on regular gasoline and has a 6.5-gallon tank, good for about eight hours, Fitch said. The generator weighs about 300 pounds but is easily moved, much like a wheelbarrow with handles and wheels in front.

“It’s important that people understand it must be run outside because of gasoline fumes. Not in a garage or any area inside a building,” Fitch said. “It’s also important to understand that the house has to be disconnected from the regular electric system before the generator is connected.” The generator comes with a power cord and outlet box and the customer has to get the transfer switch, he said.

“People can see how our larger generator works at the light department, and if interested in purchasing a generator they can order it through the light department,” Fitch said. The cost is approximately $1,650 to $2,000 for an average home depending on the accessories a customer wants.

PMLD is also offering rebates on four appliances — clothes washer, refrigerator, dishwasher and programmable thermostats, from now through the end of 2006. The appliances have to be Energy Star rated to prove they’re energy efficient.